Rector of Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM), Prof. Ir. Panut Mulyono, M.Eng., D.Eng., had the opportunity to greet the alumni who were in West Nusa Tenggara (NTB) in the event titled “UGM Menyapa Alumni”, on Saturday (29/7) night. A total of more than 150 alumni and invited guests attended the event which was held along with the agenda of field visits of KKN-PPM UGM 2017 program on the island of Lombok. Besides as a means to tighten relationship, UGM Rector also encouraged alumni, especially those in NTB, to continue to establish synergy with the university as a support for UGM to be a World Class University.
“UGM never stops in establishing synergy and cooperation with various parties, including alumni that are spread all over the archipelago. Because advanced universities are those with wide support from the alumni,” said Prof. Panut Mulyono when giving a speech at Ballroom of Hotel Aruna Senggigi, West Lombok.
Strong synergy with alumni is not only aimed for the progress of university alone but also to support the progress of nation and state. Moreover, UGM alumni through Alumni Family of Universitas Gadjah Mada (Kagama), have been known to have a high passion to contribute and participate in the process of national development. Not a few of UGM alumni who currently fill in important positions both at the regional and national levels.
“We also want to keep receiving inputs from alumni, so that UGM can maximally contribute to the wider community,” he added.
This event that was started at 18.00 to 22.00 WITA began with gala dinner with the 80’s music in the background that added to the relaxed and kinship atmosphere. Especially when some alumni are asked to give advice and stories during their study at UGM, the atmosphere inside Ballroom Hotel Aruna Senggigi increasingly dissolves in a nostalgic feel.
At the end of the event, Rector and Alumni Dialogue session was opened, led by Dr. Paripurna, S.H., M.Hum., LL.M., Vice Rector of Cooperation and Alumni. In this session, NTB Alumni looked very enthusiastic shown by the many questions and advice addressed to UGM through the Rector and the ranks of university leaders.
The presence of UGM Rector and entourage in Lombok Island received appreciation from the Regent of West Lombok, H. Fauzan Khalid, S.Ag., M.Si. The alumnus of Faculty of Social and Political Sciences also hoped that the synergy created can have a good impact for the region he leads.
“It is an honor for our region to be visited by UGM and we hope that the synergy will bring West Lombok out of our several problems, one of them being poverty,” he said. [Eggy]